Valve device having plug-actuated check valve



July 28, 1959 R. A. BOBO VALVE DEVICE HAVING PLUG-ACTUATED CHECK VALVEFiled Oct. 11', 1954 FIG. 5

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

INVENTOR. R.A. BOBO ATTORNEYS- United states Patent C VALVE *DEVICEHAVING 'PLUG-ACTUATED CHECK VALVE Application October 11, 1954, SerialNo. 461,415

Claims. (Cl. 166225) This invention relates to an improved apparatus forrunning pipe or easing into a fluid-containing well bore. A specificaspect of the invention pertains to a casing fill collar or shoeprovided with a back-flow valve and a plugactuated check valve.

In running easing into a well bore containing drilling mud or otherliquid, it is desirable to allow the liquid to enter the casing insteadof running the inside of the casing dry. However, unless means areprovided for controlling the flow of liquid into the casing as theeasing is run, the drilling mud or other liquid will overflow the casingdue to surges in pressure at the lower end of the casing caused by themovement of the casing downward through the drilling fluid and variousflow control devices have been devised for use in the bottom of thecasing as the same is being run in order to controlthe flow of fluidinto the casing and avoid overflow from the casing at the surface. Afterthe casing is run and the same has been landed, cement is forced downthe casing thereby forcing drilling mud out of the casing and up theannulus between the casing and the walls of the bore hole into the mudpit through proper conduits connecting the annulus therewith. When theproper amount of cement has been pumped into the casing to provide therequired amount of cementing or cement fill in the casing-boreholeannulus, a plug is inserted on top of the cement and drilling mud ispumped into the casing on top of the plug to force the cement down thecasing and into the annulussurrounding the same. When the plug reaches asuitable obstruction in the bottom of the easing provided for thispurpose, the flow of material into the casing is no longer possible andthe proper amount of cement has been forced into the cementing areaaround the casing in the annulus surrounding the same. It is desirableto prevent back-flow of cement into the casing so that pressure on thefluid in the casing can be released.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and novel valvedevice for use in running a well pipe such as a casing into afluid-containing well bore. Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved process for running a string of easing into afluid-containing well bore and for running cement into the boreholecasing annulus to cement the casing in. It is also an object of theinvention to provide an improved valve device for running a easing intoa fluid-filled well bore which permits maintaining a predeterminedliquid-level in the casing at a substantial distance below the derrickfloor. A further object is to provide an improved combination fill-upand cementing valve for use in running a well casing into a fluid-filledbore hole which permits operation with or without a choke. Anotherobject is to provide a plug-actuated check valve in combination with apressure diflerential valve for use in a shoe or collar in the lower endof a casing string to be run into a fluidfilled bore hole. Other objectsof the invention will become apparent from a consideration of theaccompanying disclosure.

The invention comprises an improved valve device com.-

prising a pair ofpressurerelease valves operating in opposite directionsin a casing fill shoe or collar. The two valves in .cooperationwiththeir two valve seats form a single closure across the well casing. Theback-flow valveis' normally maintained in a closed position by meansflofa spring and the pressure is adjusted by the character of the spring andthe length thereof to provide opening of the back-flow valve at apredetermined pressure differential in the fluid on opposite sides ofthe valve head thereby making it feasible to maintain the mud level inthe well casing a predetermined short distance below the upper end ofthe casing or the derrick floor. The valve device of the invention canbe utilized with or without a choke in the casing below said valvedevice. A choke is advantageous in minimizing the effect of surges inpressure in the well fluid at the bottom of the casing or fluid flowinto the casing.

The upwardly closing valve in the valve device of the invention opensdownwardly readily to permit fluid flow ffom the easing into the borehole and into the annulus surrounding the casing. Upon locking of thedownwardly closing valve in closed position by means of a latchingdevice, fluid pressure tending to cause flow into the easing fom thebore hole forces the upwardly closing valve into the closed position andcan no longer open the downwardly closing valve because of the latchingdevice which locks the same in closed position. This arrangement permitsthe flowing of cement from the easing into the bore hole and annulussurrounding the casing without permitting back-flow of the same into thecasing when the pressure thereon is released. Hence, the upward closingvalve of the valve device functions as a check valve in the casing whenthe plug following the cement into the casing contacts and actuates thevalve latching mechanism.

A more complete understanding of the invention may be had from aconsideration of the accompanying drawing in which likereference'numerals are utilized to indicate corresponding parts of thevarious views and in which all views are schematic.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a partial transverse vertical sectionof the valve device of the invention showing both valves closed.

Figure -2 is a transverse vertical partial section of another embodimentof the'invention in which the check valve is a ball valve.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical partial section of the valve device ofthe invention positioned inacasing shoe.

Figure 4 is a similar View to that of Figure 3 showing the valve devicepositioned in a collar. Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 4 Showing achoke inth'e collar.

Figure 6 is transverse vertical view, partially in section, of wellhaving the device of the invention positioned therein.

Referring to Figure l, the valve device comprises a tubular valve bodyor housing '10 having threads 12 on the outside thereof for attachmentto the inside of a collar or a shoe to he run with a casing in the lowersection thereof. The lower end of the valve housing 10 is provided withaflapper valve '14, hinged with a'spring hinge 16 of any suitable typewhich holds element 14 in closed position with only slight pressure.This upwardly closing flapper valve closes against seat 17 on the endofthe valve housing, and also against valve head '18, providing a seat 20therefor. ,Valve head318 is attached by any suitable means to a valvestem 22 such as by threads 24.- A valve guide 26is rigidly attached bymeans of spider 28-to theinnerwall of tubular member -10'so as'toposition val-vestem 22 axially of the valve housing and provide supporttherefor. Valve stem 22-is provided with'a series of radially extendingwings 30 which form a shoulder or stop for the valve stem assembly andposition valve head 18 against seat 20. Any suitable guide (not shown),such as a fixed key in valve guide 26 and a corresponding slot in valvestem 22, may be utilized to keep wings 30 aligned with supports 28. Ahelical spring 32 is positioned around the valve stem intermediate valvestem guide'26 and adjusting nut 34 which is utilized to change the forceof the spring against valve head 18 and thereby regulate thedifferential pressure required to open valve member 18 and permit backflow of fluid into the tubing. A locking nut 36 locks adjusting nut 34in position.

The upper section of tubular housing is provided with a latching ring 38having a series of longitudinal cut-away sections 40 which render thelatching ring spring able radially of tubular member 10. The outsidewall of latching ring 38 is provided with a series of annular ridges 42which have upper shoulders generally perpendicular to the wall of thering; These annular ridges 42 are designed to slip over and lockwith aseries of annular ridges 43 on the inner wall of tubular member 10, thelatter ridges having shoulders on the bottom side generallyperpendicular to the wall of tubular member 10. Lugs 44 project radiallyfrom latching ring 38 and provide means for engaging a cementing plugforced down the well casing. Thus, when latching ring 38 is forceddownwardly within tubular member 10, it is brought into contact orengagement with valve stem wings 30 and looks into position so as toprevent upward movement of the valve stem assembly and opening of thedownwardly closing valve member 18. The lowermost ridge 4 into orotherwise attached to an adapter 67 which is attached directly to thecollar.

Figure 6 shows a well bore having casings 60, 72, and 74 cemented in.This figure illustrates the positioning of the device of the inventionin shoe 50 on the lower end of the casing string or, alternatively, in acasing collar 60 near the bottom ofthe string of casing. After thecement has been run into the annulus around the lower end of casing 70and the same has set, the casing is perforated or the interior of thelower end of the casing, including the valve device of the invention, isdrilled out and the drilling is continued into the cement and formationbelow the end of the casing in conventional manner in order to open upthe casing for production. It is therefore essential that the interiorelements of valve device 10 be constructed of drillable materials, whichare well known in the art. Spring 32 can be made of bronze or othermaterialwhich provides suitable tension and is drillable. e

In operation, while pipe is being run, the downwardlyclosing (pressuredifferential) valve and the upwardlyclosing (flapper or ball) valvecombine to prevent fluid entry into the pipe from below until apredetermined pressure differential has been established across thevalve device. Once such pressure difierential has. been establishedacross the valve device, the casing fills from below so long assutficient pressure exists to hold the downwardlyeclosing valve open.The pressure differential reon the wall of tube 10 must be located so asto position the lower edge of ring 38 against wings 30. Hence, whenlatching ring 38 is locked against valve stem wings 30, fluid flow fromthe bore hole into the casing is prevented and the only flow permittedthrough the casing is from the casing into the bore hole through flappervalve 14 which now acts as a check valve to the flow of fluid into thecasing.

Referring to Figure 2, the valve device illustrated therein is similarin most respects to that of Figure 1, the principal difierence being inthe arrangement of the valves in relation to each other and thestructure involved in this relationship. Valve member 18 is providedwith a seat 20 formed by flange 44, an inward extension of housing 10.Valve head '18 is annular in shape having an axial orifice or valve seatfor upwardly-closing valve 46 which is in the form of a ball. A cage 48serves to retain the ball in operative association with valve head 18and the cooperating seat therein. Valve stem 22 is connected to valvehead 18 by means of a spider. The valve device of this figure operatesin substantially the same manner as the valve device of Figure 1, ball46 functioning as a check valve to flow of fluid from the bore hole intothe casing and as a flow valve during cementing of the casing whereincement is flowed through the orifice in valve head 18 and out throughcage 48. The latching ring 38 of Figure 1 is of course utilized inconjunction with the valve device of Figure 2.

'Figure 3 shows the valve device 10 installed in a bottom quired to openthe valve from below is dependent upon the pressure exerted by thespring, which is adjustable by regulating the adjusting nut on the valvestem.

When the casing is properly positioned in the well it is cemented inplace in the normal manner and the first cementing plug forces latchingring 38 downward, thus preventing upward movement of valve head 18 thusallowing the flapper valve of Figure 1 or the ball valve of Figure 2 toact as a check valve to prevent reverse flow of cement from the annulusinto the casing.

Thus, the device functions as a. difierential pressure fill valve whilethe casing is being 'run 'but functions as a check valve after the firstcementing plug reaches bottom. I

Certain modifications of the invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art and the illustrative details disclosed are not to beconstrued as imposing unnecessary limitations on the invention.

I claim: f

1. An improved valve device for 'use in a 'string of well pipecomprising an imperforate tubular member open at its ends and attachableto said pipe; a first valve seat across said tubular member fixedthereto; a first pressure release valve closing on said first valveseat; a second valve seat in said first valve disposed in the plane ofsaid first valve seat when said first valve is closed; a second valveclosing on said second valve seat, one of said valves being fluidpressure operable to permit 7 upward flow thru said member and the'othervalve being shoe 50 by means of threads 12. Shoe 50 has a threaded uppersection 52 and a nose section 54 having a passageway 56 for passage offluid into and out of the shoe and casing. Nose section 54 is usuallycast in place and re tained by lugs 58. Threaded section 52 attachesdirectly to the lower end of a casing or pipe string.

Figure 4 shows the valve device 10 of the invention installed in acasing collar 60 by means of threads 12. The upper end of the collar hasthreads 62 adapted to attach to the end of a pipe string. Threads 64 onthe lower end of the collar are adapted to attach the collar to anotherjoint of pipe. 7 a

The device of Figure 5 is similar to that of Figure 4 but shows a choke66 inserted in the lower end of the casing collar. Choke 66 has anorifice 68 and is threaded fluid pressure operable to prevent upwardflow and to permit downward flow thru said member; and means slidablyengaging said tubular member and adapted to also engage said valve whichpermits upward flow thru said member to hold same in closed position.

2. The valve device of claim 1 wherein said first valve closes upwardlyagainst said first valve seat and said second valve closes downwardlyagainst the seat in said first valve and is engaged by said means.

3. The valve device of claim 1 wherein said first valve closesdownwardly against said first valve seat and said means engages a valvestem on said first valve.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said valve permitting upward flow thrusaid member is provided with a valve stem extending upwardly therefrom,a valve stem guide on said valve stem fixed relative to said member, acom pressed spring around said valve stem between said guide and itsvalve biasing last said valve in its seat.

5. The device of claim 4 including a first spider fixing said valve stemguide to said member; a shoulder on the upper section of said stemengaging said guide and limiting the downward movement of said valve toits normally closed position; a second spider on the upper end of saidstem extending out to a position adjacent the inner wall of said memberabove said first spider; and wherein said means comprises a locking ringrateheted on the inner wall of said member and adapted to engage saidsecond spider when moved downwardly to force said shoulder against saidguide.

6. The valve device of claim 1 wherein said first valve comprises aflapper valve closing upwardly against said fixed valve seat.

7. The valve device of claim 1 wherein said first valve comprises adownwardly closing valve having a ball and cage on its under sideextending thru said first valve seat, said ball seating upwardly in thevalve seat in said first valve and functioning as said second valve.

8. An improved valve device for use in a string of well pipe comprisingan imperforate tubular member open at its ends and attachable t0saidpipe string; a first valve seat across said member fixed thereto; afirst pressure releasevalve closing on said first valve seat; a secondvalve seat in said first valve disposed in the plane of said first valveseat when said first valve is closed; a second valve closing on saidsecond valve seat; an upwardly extending stem on one of said valves; avalve stem guide around said stem fixed to said member, said stemextending above said guide; and a shoulder on the upper end of said stemengageable with said guide to position its respective valve in saidplane.

9. The device of claim 8 including holding means for forcing said valvestem downwardly to engage said shoulder with said guide and hold same inthis position.

10. A differential casing-fill-device comprising a vertical imperforatetubular member adapted to be connected in the lower section of a casingstring; an upwardlyclosing valve and a cooperating fixed seat thereforacross said tubular member adapted to open and close same to flowtherethru from end to end; a downwardly-closing valve and a cooperatingseat therefor within said upwardly-closing valve, the aforesaid valvesand seats forming a single closure for said tubular member either ofwhich operates to permit longitudinal flow thru said tubular member;means for holding said downwardlyclosing valve closed under apredetermined pressure whereby same functions as a differential pressurevalve permitting flow of fluid into said casing string from the lowerend thereof; and means for latching said downwardly-closing valve inclosed position whereby said upwardly-closing valve functions as acheck-valve to prevent flow of fluid into said casing from the lower endthereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS989,883 Snee Apr. 18, 1911 2,161,282 Crowell June 6, 1939 2,226,022Shutts Dec. 24, 1940 2,698,054 Brown Dec. 28, 1954

